Hunger Games (reversed)

Chapter 9

Okay, I am SOO sorry about not updating. What a wild year it has been without updating. But as I am  watching Mockingjay  Part 1, I forgot how much I missed writing! So, I hope you guys enjoyed this book so far and continue reading it! 

Katniss's POV 

"Peeta has asked to be coached separately," says Haymitch.

Betrayal. That is exactly the first thing that come in my head. But to feel betrayal, there would have had to be trust in the first place. Trust, I mean, between Peeta and me. And trust was not apart of the agreement. We are both tributes. But the boy who risked a beating to give me bread, the one who steadied me in the chariot, who covered for me with Avox girl, who insisted Haymitch know my hunting skills... was there some part of me that couldn't help but trust him? 

On the other hand, I am relieved that we can stop being friends. Or pretending to be friends. The Games begin in 2 days, and trust will only be a weakness. Whatever reason Peeta decided to make that decision, I should be nothing but grateful for it. Maybe he's finally accepted the fact that the sooner we openly acknowledge that we are enemies, the better.

"Good," I say. "So what's the schedule?" 

Peeta doesn't even look at me. 

"Youll each have four hours with Effie for presentation and four with me for content," says Haymitch. "You start with Effie, Katniss." 

I can't imagine what Effie will have to teach me that could take four hours, but she's got me working down to the last minute. We go to my rooms and she puts me inafull-length gown and high-heeled shoes, not the ones I'll he wearing for the actual interview, and instructs me on walking. 

I hate high heels, and have never gotten used to them. Effie runs around in them full time, and I'm determined that if she can, I can too. The dress is another problem. It keeps dangling around my shoes, so of course, I hitch it up, and then Effie swoops down on me like a hawk, smacking my hands and yelling, "Not above the ankle!" 

I finally start to be able to walk, but then there's still my posture. Effie says I duck my head. To add to the lists there's also; eye contact, hand gestures. and smiling. Smiling is mostly about smiling more. Effie makes me say phrases and smile before, during and after. By lunch my cheek muscles are twitching. 

"Well, thats the best I can do," Effie says with sigh. "Just remember, Katniss, you want the audience to like you."

"And you don't think they will?" I ask.

"Not if you glare at them the entire time. Why don't you save that for the arena? Instead, think of yourself among friends, "says Effie.

"They're betting on how long I'll live!" I burst out. "They're not my friends!"

"Well, try and pretend!" snaps Effie. Then she composes herself and beams at me. "See, like this. I'm smiling at you even though you're aggravating me."

"Yes, it feels very convincing," I say. "I'm going to eat."

1 kick off my heels and stomp down to the dining room, hiking my skirt up to my thighs. 

Peeta and Haymitch seem in pretty good moods, so I'm thinking the content session should be an improvement over the morning. I couldn't be more wrong. 

After lunch, Haymitch takes me into the sitting room, directs me to the couch, and then just frowns at me for a while.

"What?" I finally ask.

"I'm trying to figure out what to do with you," he says. "How we're going to present you. Are you going to be charming? Aloof? Fierce? So far, you're shining like a star. You volunteered to save your sister. Cinna made you look unforgettable. You've got the top training score. People are intrigued, but no one knows who you are. The impression you make tomorrow will decide exactly what I can get you in terms of sponsors," says Haymitch.